Wetsuit In a Sprint?
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Captain Mal posted 21 weeks ago.
+1
70 should be warm enough. Make sure to get in the water and swim a little bit to get used to it. If you don't get too cold, go without.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
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PJT posted 21 weeks ago.
macker wrote:
My initial thought is that I can save some time in T1 without having to pull off my wetsuit. I always seem to struggle getting it off..lol.
With practice and when wet, how long does it take you to get the suit off?
How much time per half mile does the suit save you?
These are both questions that you can easily answer for yourself in a controlled environment, like a pool.
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macker posted 21 weeks ago.
I'm sure it would end up being a wash....i'll make it a game-time decision....thanks gang.
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jro81 posted 21 weeks ago.
You probably already know what 70 feels like. I would probably go without the wetsuit, just because I am not hopeful of placing at this point and I dont want to bother with it in T1, especially if you have trouble taking the suit off.
However, I agree that 70 is not cold (i dont know if id call it "warm", but its not cold). You should probably at least give some thought as to how much faster you will be in the water with it. Half a mile is kind of long swim for a sprint. The longer the swim, the higher the break even point is for time saved in the water versus time spent ripping off the suit in T1. It really should not take more than a couple seconds. So +1 to game time decision. Test out the water and then decide.
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UFTriGator posted 21 weeks ago.
At 1/2 mile, you're looking at something like a 30-40 second gain if you use the wetsuit. Does it take you longer than 30 or 40 seconds to take it off?
Learning how to take a wetsuit off is just like swimming, biking, or running. With practice, you'll get faster. I will ALWAYS wear a wetsuit if it's allowed...even if the water's not cold...it's free speed.
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
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jknoll posted 21 weeks ago.
I agree with UFTriGator, "it's free speed." I am not a really strong swimmer, so I am always for the suit. The time I save far outweighs the time to get it off.
J
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jsk85 posted 21 weeks ago.
another for always wearing my wetsuit...the only time difference should be pulling the legs off as you should already have the top half off during the run...that takes me 20s max...and I probably save more than 30-40s per 1/2 mile since I'm a pretty poor swimmer.
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Captain Mal posted 21 weeks ago.
That free speed thing is a good idea... I guess. (you'd think you guys were talking about racing or something.)
This is my fifth season and I am just barely getting my first tri wetsuit for my birthday. I can't wait to use it instead of my waterskiing shortie! Hopefully the difference between the two will skew me to the "I'd rather wear it" side of the board.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
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Dmoney517 posted 20 weeks ago.
I had a 1000m OWS on Sunday for the Montclair International Distance. I did all my training in my wetsuit and felt quite confident going into the swim (my weakest event by far). RD made the announcement 30 min before the race that the water temp in the lake was 83 degrees and wet suits were not allowed. I suffered through that swim not having a wetsuit on. The added speed and extra floatation make swimming so much more comfortable (being 5'10 185 I tend to sink).
I will always wear a wet suit when allowed.
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Warrior posted 20 weeks ago.
To stop sinking get your head down in the water and keep those hips up.
Dreams are the stars which charter the course of our lives. Happy the one who follows their dreams
Just curious what the thoughts are on wearing a wetsuit in a sprint (1/2mile swim). I will not win, but could be close to top 3-5 in my age group if I have a good day. Water is around 70. My initial thought is that I can save some time in T1 without having to pull off my wetsuit. I always seem to struggle getting it off..lol. ~macker